ShapingNJ began in 2008 with a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. ShapingNJ was specifically designed to:

build on the successes of the 2006 New Jersey Obesity Plan created by the New Jersey Obesity Prevention Task Force,

update the strategies, and

address the challenges of making changes more lasting and impactful.

Vision

ShapingNJ has the following visions:

Breastfeeding-Friendly Spaces: New Jersey hospitals and workplaces will support babies' best start by helping mothers to breastfeed exclusively during their babies' first six months.

Healthy, Affordable Nutrition. All of our residents will have easy access--at school, in their neighborhoods and throughout the community-- to nutritious and affordable food and drink, especially fruits and vegetables.

Healthy Child and Afterschool Care. Every day, every child in child or after-school care will eat healthy food, including fruits and vegetables, and engage in lots of physically active play. No child will watch TV in those settings.

Lifelong Physical Activity. Every community and every school will offer abundant opportunities for everyone to engage insafe, affordable physical activity.Physical activity will be a daily routine for all New Jersey residents throughout their lives. Schools will teach this healthy habit starting with kindergartners.